Bodywork repair and paint?

[motomadness]

Jeff Harris can really work wonders.  If the body work in badly damaged, it's worth your time and money.  

Don't forget, the amount you spend in getting the supplies quickly adds up too.  Although the price get amortized over several repairs, if you don't crash any more this season, you might just as much, for that single repair and it might not be as clean.

[Lowe119]

I spent a lot on supplies, because I went all-out. I found it fun to learn the things I can do with composites - from carbon hoods, to custom bodywork, to fiberglass dashes, to fiberglass trailers, to hottubs, etc.

The basics I would get are:
FG mat - get the end-of roll special ($12); You can get some 5-9oz cloth tape to see if you like it for a few bucks; quart of General Purpose (GP) resin ($7); MEKP ($2); MEKP dispenser ($4.69); 2" Chip brushes (cheap at walmart); tongue depressors for stirring ($.50); save your soup cans for mixing; scissors; and sanding equipment.

Then you can get hooked like me and buy a DA, air compressor, paint sprayer(s), Carbon, Kevlar, gel coat and mold release to make molds, wedges, bubble-busters, latex gloves, respirator (that I use all the time after many headaches and stupid moments), spreaders, buffing attachment for my DA, and anything else that looks like it would help.  :D

[Lowe119]

oh ya - acetone for clean up of tools and baby powder to get that irritating resin off the hands. ;)

[motomadness]

Go see Jeff.  All you have to do is hand him the bodywork, tell him the color(s), and pay him when he's done. Lowel19 must have spent $1000, but he can do a lot of stuff himself.

It all come down to what's your time worth to ya?

Off-season: not much, not racing anyway
In-season: no time, pay to get it done by a pro like Jeff.

Did I mention I have seen him repair over 50 race panels this year alone, and all of them are awesome.

[Lowe119]

True - I'm just giving all the data to make an informed decision. It took me a couple years to even get decent at it. If you don't have the time, patience, garage space, and extra brain cells to lose, take it to a pro. If you want to learn, do it.
I've repaired up to 15 body panels in a season...  :P ;) ;D  I'm up by Wisconsin Dells if anyone needs tips or materials.

[motomadness]

Well stated.  Give the info, let the buyer make the best decision.

[Kevin177]

thanks everybody.

Jeff, I'll be giving you a call.